A home for the elderly in Naxxar has closed its doors to visitors after detecting several cases of COVID-19 among residents.

The 153-bed private Simblija home told families on Tuesday that it will ban visitors for seven days to prevent the spread of the virus.  

It is not known how many residents have tested positive for COVID-19, but reports indicate that only residents showing symptoms are being tested.

“We are in constant communication with the health authorities and all measures that have been implemented are in accordance with the health authorities’ COVID-19 standard policies and procedures and are endorsed by them,” a spokesperson told various newsrooms.

As of today, there are 339 cases of COVID-19 across Malta and Gozo. The number of new cases being recorded every day has been between 20 and 40 for several weeks.